Device for sorting carpet rolls

ABSTRACT

A device for sorting rolls of carpet. The carpet roll is transferred by a carrier from a loading location to a second selected location where the carpet roll is dumped by the carrier into a waiting depository.

United States Patent [1 1 Moore Oct. 30, 1973 [54] DEVICE FOR SORTING CARPET ROLLS 702,408 6/1902 Cook 214/16 B X Inventor: Arthur Ronald Moore 3512 Hilly 3,501,027 3/1970 Dea et al 214/16 B Ln., Elkhart, Ind. 46514 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: Feb. 295 1972 529,467 8/1956 Canada 214/38 R PP 230,245 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Bruce I-I. Stoner, Jr. 52 US. Cl. 214/64, 214/16 B, 214/41 [51] Int. Cl. 865g 67/30 58 Field 61 Search 214/64, 6 M, 6 DK, [571 ABSTRACT 214/41 R, 16 B, 61, 62, 38; 209/122, 125, 74 A device for sorting rolls of carpet. The carpet roll is transferred by a carrier from a loading locationto a [56] References Cited second selected location where the carpet roll is UNITED STATES PATENTS dumped by the carrier-into a waiting depository. 1,510,580 10/1924 Bryen 214/61 X 9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED E 30 1975 11768.669

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DEVICE FOR SORTING CARPET ROLLS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a sorter for carpet rolls and has specific application in the carpet manufacturing art where the carpet sections after measuring and rolling are sorted for shipment.

The carpet roll sorting device of this invention is a conveyance which includes acarrier for transporting a carpet roll between a loading orfirst location and a selected second location where the carpet roll is dumped into a waiting depository. The carrier is shiftable between the loading location and selected second location, preferably upon an overhead rail system, and includes a cradle which supports the carpet roll. The eradle is pivotal between an upright carpet supporting position and a tilted or dump position wherein the carpet falls into a waiting depository, such as a cartpositioned below the carrier. The sorting device hereinafter described is designed so that the. carrier forthe carpet roll travels approximately 160 feet per minute between the loading location and selected spaced discharge location. The carpet rolls sorted by the device will vary from approximately 6 to 30 inches in diameter and approximately 100 and 1,200 pounds in weight. To accommodate carpet rolls of such varying size, the carrier must be designed so as to permit the carpet roll to fall substantially directly downwardly into .the waiting depository with no horizontal displacement.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a conveyance for carpet rolls whereby the rolls are transported from a loading location to a selected discharge location.

Another object of this invention is to provide 'a conveyance for carpet rolls in which an overhead carrier 'means is utilized to transport the rolls from a 'loading location to a selected one of a plurality of discharge locations where the carrier means deposits thecarpet roll into a lower waiting depository.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for sorting carpet rolls in which the carpetrolls are transported from a common loading location to aselected one of a plurality of discharge locations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device for sorting carpet rolls in which a carrier means which includes a cradle for supporting a carpet roll is shiftable between spaced locations with the cradle being pivotal between an uprightcarpet roll supporting position and a tilted carpet roll discharge position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device for sorting carpet rolls which is of efficient and rapid operation and which causes a specific carpet roll to be transported from a loading location to a selected discharge location and there be deposited in a depository.

Still another object of this invention .is to provide a sorter for carpet rolls which is of efficient and safe operation.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon a reading of the inventions description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of this invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carpet sorter of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the carpet sorter.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lift for the carpet sorter taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is afragmentary view of the lift shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the right.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one end of the carrier of the carpet sorter.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing one end of the carrier.

FIG. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8"is a side elevational view of the carrier shown in its upright position.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken along line 99 of .FIG. 8 and showing the carrier in one operative position.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view as seen in FIG. 9show'ing the carrier'in a-second operative position.

FIG. 11 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a detailed sectional view taken along line l212 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the carrier part shown in FIG. 11 as seen from line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the carrier showing the cradle thereof in its tilted or dump position.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the carrier showing the cradlethereof being shifted from its broken line dump position into its solid line upright position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Thepreferred embodiment illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated carpet sorter includes a carrier designated generally by the reference numeral 10 which is supported at its opposite ends upon spaced parallel rails 12 carried in an elevated position by stanchions 14. A lift 16 is located at one end of rails 12 and is utilized to lift a carpet roll 42 up onto carrier 10 as illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 2. In this description of the invention and the claims thereof, the term carpet has reference without limitation also to the term rug.

DESCRIPTION OF LIFT Lift 16 includes a platform 18 which is supported, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, by rollers 20 carried within tracks 22 formed in frame uprights 24. A shaft 26 is journaled between the upper end portions of uprights 24 and a shaft 28 is journaled between the lower end portions of the uprights. Shafts 26 and 28 are preferably in vertical alignment and each carries a pair of spaced sprockets 30. Each sprocket 30 carried by shaft 26 is in vertical alignment with a sprocket 30 carried by shaft 28 and is positioned adjacent an upright 24. An endless chain 32 passes around each pair of vertically aligned sprockets 30. Platform 18 is connected to chains 32 and, upon rotation of the chains, is shiftable between its carpet roll receiving position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and its discharge position shown in FIG. 2. Movement of platform 18 is caused by a reversible electric motor 34 which is mounted on a base at the bottom of one of the uprights 24. A sprocket 36 is connected to shaft 28. Sprocket 36 is drive connected by an endless chain 38 to a sprocket 40 connected to the output shaft of motor 34.

A section of rolled carpet 42 which may range from 6 to 30 inches in diameter and weight between 100 and l,200 pounds is deposited upon platform 18 when the platform is positioned in its receiving or lower position shown in FIG. 1. Carpet roll 42 has been previously measured and cut and covered with a cloth or paper covering. Motor 34 is then started either manually or in conjunction with a trip carried by platform 18 which is triggered as the roll 42 is deposited upon the platform. Platform [8 is raised to its discharge position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. As platform 18 reaches its discharge position, it trips a limit switch (not shown) to stop motor 34. Carpet roll 42 then rolls from platform 18 onto carrier which ,is located adjacent lift uprights 24. After a delay of a few seconds to allow carpet roll 42 to leave platform 18 and position itself on carrier 10, a time switch (not shown) starts a motor 82 which causes carrier 10 to move away from lift 16 and also starts motor 34 which is reversed to lower the platform down into its receiving position where it can receive another carpet roll. Once platform 18 reaches its receiving position, it is stopped by another trip switch (not shown).

DESCRIPTION OF CARRIER Carrier 10 includes a carriage 44 which is supported at each end by a pair of trolley wheels 46. A bar 48 is carried by carriage 44. Bar 48 extends transversely be.- tween rails 12 and is journaled for pivotal movement in the carriage. Trolley wheels 46 of carriage 44 are seated within an angle iron 50 secured to the top of each rail 12. A pair of thrust rollers 52 are carried by carriage 44 at each of its ends. Thrust rollers 52 are journaled about vertical axes and are positioned inwardly spaced from the periphery of trolley wheels 46 so as to contact the outer surface of the upright flange 54 of each angle iron 50.

A cradle 56 is supported by carriage 44 and is secured to bar 48 for pivotal movement with the bar. Cradle 56 is pivotal between an upright position, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and a tilted or dump position, as illustrated in FIG. 14. Carriage 44 includes a cross brace 58 which supports cradle 56 when the cradle is in its upright position and a cross brace 60 which supports the cradle when the cradle is in its dump position. Braces 58 and 60 serve as stops which limit the extent of pivotal movement of cradle 56. The center of gravity of cradle 56, which is defined as the gravitational center of the cradle structure and the carpet roll supported in the cradle structure, is laterally spaced from the pivot axis of the cradle in the direction of movement of the cradle as it pivots from its upright into its dump position. Cradle 56 is maintained in its upright position by means of a releasable lock 62 which is carried by carriage 44 and which will be described in greater detail and function at a later place. A sprocket 64 is mounted to one corresponding end of each rail 12 and a sprocket 66 mounted to the opposite corresponding end of each rail. An elongated chain 68 parallels each rail 12 and passes around the sprockets 64 and 66 carried by the rail. Each chain 68 is connected to one end of carriage 44 with the upper and lower runs 70 of the chain being supported within spaced parallel channel members 72 carried by the underlying rail 12. Sprockets 64 are drive connected by a transverse shaft 74 which is supported by rails 12. Rotation of shaft 74 causes the simultaneous coordinated rotative movement of drive chains 68 which in turn causes carrier 10 to traverse rails 12. A sprocket 76 is connected to shaft 74. An endless chain 78 connects sprocket 76 to a sprocket 80 mounted upon the output shaft of a reversible electric motor 82. Motor 82 serves to cause rotative movement of chains 68 and the shiftable movement of carrier 10 over rails 12. While the detail drawings (FIGS. 5-7) thus far described show but one end of carrier 10, it is to be understood that the carrier is similarly constructed and supported at its opposite end. Thrust rollers 52 which are positioned on each end of carriage 44 serve to maintain the transverse alignment of cradle 56 relative to rails 12 and to prevent dislocation of the car riage from the rails should one of the drive chains 68 break or the drive at one end of the carriage otherwise fail to function.

Motor 82 which drives carrier 10 along rails 12 includes an electrical brake which is actuated when the motor is stopped as to bring carrier 10 to a halt upon the rails within a matter of inches. A plurality of'longitudinally spaced discharge stations, each identified in FIG. 2 by a cart 84, are located between rails 12 and along the path of movement of carrier 10. Carts 84 may assume a variety of constructions and are illustrated in FIG. 2 as having a flat bed 86 which is preferably slightly longer than the carpet roll and which carries a plurality of side rails 88. Carts 84 are supported upon wheels and may be connected to a tractor and moved from location to location. Suitable actuator means correlated to the position of each discharge station are provided to actuate the brake on motor 82 to stop carrier 10 at a selected discharge station and to release lock 62 to allow cradle 56 to pivot from its upright into its dump position to deposit the carpet roll 42 carried thereby into the underlying cart 84. In the illustrated embodiment of the carpet sorter of this invention, such actuator means constitutes a plurality of actuator plates 90 located at selected locations along one of the rails 12. Each actuator plate 90, as best shown in FIGS. 8-10, is positioned against a backing plate 92, which is secured to channels 72 above the rail 12, and is located between retainer parts 94 which are secured to the backing plate and which overlap the marginal side edges of the actuator plate to permit the actuator plate to be shifted between upper and lower positions. As pneumatic power cylinder 96 is connected to each backing plate 92. The piston of each power cylinder is connected to an actuator plate 90 and serves during actuation of the power cylinder to raise and lower the connected actuator plate. Each actuator plate 90 .carries a trip 98 and a limit switch 100. Each limit switch 100 is located between lift 16 and its associated trip 98 or, in other words, to the lift side of trip 98, and

is electrically connected to motor 82. Each actuator plate 90 is shiftable by its connected p'ower cylinder 96 from an upper inoperative position shown at the left of the illustration in FIG. 8 to a lower operative position shown at the right of the illustration in FIG. 8. Lock 62 carried by carriage 44 includes a lower arm 102 which is connected to a vertical rod 104 journaled within suitable brackets connected to carriage 44. Both lower arm 102 and rod 104 constitute parts of lock 62. Lower arm 102 projects between the adjacent rail 12 and the lowermost channel 72 located adjacently above the rail. When an actuator plate 90 is positioned in its upper inoperative position, lower arm 102 passes with clearance under trip 98 and limit switch 100 of the actuator plate as carrier moves over rails 12. When it is desired to stop carrier 10 at a particular discharge station along rails 12 for depositing the carpet roll into an underlying cart 84, the actuator plate 90 for that discharge station is shifted into its lower operative position by actuation of power cylinder 96 which places trip 98 and limit switch 100 of the lowered actuator plate in the path of movement of lower arm 102 of the cradle lock. As carrier 10 progresses from its loading location adjacent lift l6'to the opposite ends of rails 12, lower arm 102 will first contact limit switch 100 of the lowered actuator plate. Each limit switch 100 when contacted by lower arm 102 stops the current flow into motor 82 which causes the brake thereof to be applied to stop carrier 10. The braking torque applied to the drive shaft of motor 82 is preferably constant to cause a rapid but uniform slow-down of carrier 10. Arm 102 is not rotated upon contact with switch 100. As the carrier is being brought to a stop with the .cradle and carpet roll being subjected to an inertial force, the carrier progresses down rails 12 in the direction of 'arrow 103 in FIG. 8 where lower arm 102 next contacts trip 98 and is pivoted from the broken line to thesolid line positions in the direction of arrow 106 in FIG. 10. This pivotal movement of arm 102 releases lock 62 which in turn frees cradle 56 for pivotal movement. The braking torque for carrier 10 is regulated so that carrier 10 proceeds a few inches further down rails 12 after contacting trip 98. Movement of cradle56 from its upright position into its dump position is prevented even though lock 62 for the cradle has been released until the carrier comes to a stop in position abovea selected cart 84 due to the inertial force of the carrier supported carpet roll 42 which was created during braking of carrier 10. Once carrier 10 comes to a stop, the inertial force of the carpet roll 42 is reduced to zero and the gravitational force acting upon the carpet roll and cradle 56 whose operative center of gravity is offset from the pivot axis of the cradle causes the cradle to shift from its upright position shown in FIG. 8 to its dump position shown in FIG. 14. With cradle 56 in the dump position shown in FIG. 14, carpet roll 42 rolls off the cradle and falls vertically into the waiting cart 84 positioned beneath the cradle. By delaying the discharge of the carpet roll 42 from carrier 10 until the cradle 56 comes to a stop, any horizontal displacement of the carpet roll as it falls free of the cradle roll is substantially eliminated. It has been found that carrier 10 when traveling approximately 160 feet per minute can be brought to a stop within a distance of 10 to 15 inches after limit switch 100 is tripped. In the illustrated embodiment, trip 98 is positioned approximately 4 inches from limit switch 100 for each actuator plate 90. The amount of braking torque required to bring carrier 10 to a stop once the braking torque has been applied is so correlated to the maximum-minimum weights of the carpet rolls 42 which will be carried upon cradle 56 that a sufficient carpet roll inertial force is created during the braking period for the cradle to be held in its upright position after release of lock 62 and until the carrier is brought to a stop.

- The detailed construction of lock 62 of carrier 10 is best illustrated in FIGs. 11, 12 and 13. Lock 62 includes a catch part 110 which is mounted for pivotal movement between spaced uprights 112 secured to cross brace 58 of the carrier. A spring 1 13 is connected between catch 110 and carriage 44 to normally urge the catch into a tilted position. Catch 110 when in its tilted position engages block 114 connected to cradle 56 to secure the cradle in its upright position. An upper arm 116 is carried at the upper end of rod 104. A cable 118 extends between the free end of upper arm 116 and the lower end portion of catch 110. When lower arm 102 of lock 62 contacts trip 98 of the lowered actuator plate and is pivoted as illustrated in FIG. 10, upper arm 116 is swung outwardly as indicated by arrow 121 in FIG. 12 pulling the lower end portion of catch outwardly and causing catch 110 to pivot into a vertical or release position as shown in FIG. 12 which frees cradle 56 for pivotal movement. Since during the braking period of carrier 10 the inertial force exerted by the carpet roll carried thereby will cause cradle 56 to remain in its upright position, means must be provided for securing catch 110 in its upright or release position at least until carrier 10 is stopped and cradle 56 pivots into its dump position. This is accomplished by a locking lug which is pivotally carried by one of the uprights 112. Lug 120 normally rests, as shown in FIG. 11, upon the top of catch 110 when the catch is in its tilted position. As upper arm 116 pulls catch 110 into its vertical or release position, lug 120 is urged downwardly by a spring 122 into engagement with a notch 124 formed in the upper end of catch 1 10, thereby preventing the catch from returning under the influence of spring 113 into its tilted position. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, catch 110 is secured in its release position to allow cradle 56 to pivot from its upright into its dump position upon the stopping of carrier 10.

To facilitate the disengagement of catch 110 from cradle block 114, the cradle is preferably designed so that in a carpet roll carrying situation during which no braking force is applied to motor 82 and with lock catch 110 engaging block 114 of cradle 56, the cradle is preferably slightly spaced from support 126 carried by cross brace 58. When the brake in motor 82 is actuated by the tripping of a limit switch 1 10 and a braking force is applied to stop carrier 10, cradle 56 under the influence of the intertial force of the carpet roll will pivot clockwise as viewed in FIG. 8 into contact with support 126, thus substantially reducing the pressure upon catch 110 which can be more easily swung into its release position shown in FIG. 12.

After cradle 56 is pivoted into its dump position and the carpet roll 42 carried therein deposited into the lower waiting cart 84, it is necessary to return the cra dle to its upright position. This may be accomplished by providing lock 62 with a pivoted trip arm 128 which is best seen in FIG. 13. Trip arm 128 is pivotally connected to a carrier connected upright 112 and is positioned with one of its arm portions 129 under lug 120. The other end portion 130 of arm 128 is positioned in the path of a pin 131 carried by cradle 56. When cradle 56 is pivoted from its broken line dump position into its solid line upright position shown in FIG. 15, pin 130 follows the path of arrow 132 and contacts trip arm 128 causing lug 120 which is fitted within notch 124 of catch 110 as illustrated in FIG. 12 to be swung upwardly out of notch 124 to allow spring 113 connected to the catch to pivot the catch into its tilted position and into engagement with cradle block 114 as shown in FIG. 11. In the illustrated embodiment, cradle 56, after depositing a carpet roll and being returned to its loading location by motor 82, comes to a stop in front of lift 16 by tripping a suitable limit switch (not shown) which deactivates motor 82. A cross frame member 132 which extends between stanchions 14 located adjacent lift 16 carries a pneumatically actuated plunger 134. Plunger 134 is located near the level of carrier and shifts from its broken line retracted position 134' to its solid line extended position shown in FIG. 15, making contact with the lip of cradle 56 and causing the cradle to be swung into its upright position where trip arm 128 of lock 62 upon being contacted by pin 131 frees catch 110 and allows the catch to swing into its tilted position, engaging block 114 carried by the cradle. The actuation of plunger 134 is preferably synchronized by suitable control means with the deactivation of motor 82 which brings carrier 10 to a stop in front of lift 16. Simultaneously with the stopping of carrier 10 at lift 16, motor 34 of the lift which was primed for starting by triggering the trip on lift platform 18 may be started to carry another carpet roll up to the carrier.

The starting of motor 82 to return carrier 10 from this selected discharge station to its loading location adjacent lift 16 is preferably accomplished by a photoelectric switch means. This switch means includes a combined photoelectric light transmitting and receiving source 136 which depends from cross frame 132 and is electrically connected to motor 82 and an aligned light reflecting part 138 which depends from a cross frame 140 mounted betweenstanchions 14 at opposite distant ends of rails 12. Light source 136 and reflector part 138 are preferably positioned at a selected height above carts 84 which represents the maximum height that any one of the carts 84 are to be loaded with carpet rolls. The light beam is transmitted by source 136 between rails 12 where it contacts reflector part 138 and is reflected rearwardly into the receiving part of the light source. As a carpet roll 42 is discharged from cradle 56 over a cart 84 at a selected discharge station, the carpet roll will pass through the light beam emitted from source 136 causing motor 82 to start in reverse to return carrier 10 to its loading location adjacent lift 16. If the carpet roll does not pass through the beam emitted from light source 136, either because for some reason the carpet roll is not discharged from carrier 10 or because the stack of carpet rolls in that one particular cart prevents the carpet roll from passing completely through the beam, motor 82 will not be started to return the carrier to its loading location. Once the problem regarding the carpet roll has been corrected, a suitable actuation button on control box 142 adjacent lift 16 can be pushed to actuate motor 82 to return the carrier to its loading location.

A workman standing at control box 142 upon noting the destination of a particular carpet roll which is deposited upon lift 10 for loading onto carrier 10 simply presses a selected button for the destination on the control box to lower an actuator plate 90 which is associated with a particular discharge station into its operative position. Once the carpet roll has been placed on carrier 10 and deposited in the cart 84 at the discharge station and the carrier 10 started on its return to the loading location adjacent lift 16, a suitable pneumatic circuit actuates power cylinder 96 of the lowered actuator plate to cause the plate to be raised into its inoperative position. The workman at control box 142 then notes the destination of the next carpet roll and pushes another selected button for the destination on the control box to repeat the sorting cycle. The compressed air for power cylinders 96 which are associated with actuator plates 90 and plunger 134 is provided by a suitable compressed air source (not shown). while the illustrated embodiment shows but four discharge stations or locations to receive the carpet rolls, it is to be understood that the number of such discharge stations per sorter may vary. A sorter constructed in accordance with the invention and having 12 discharge stations has the capacity of sorting rolls per hour.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details herein given, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A conveyance for carpet rolls comprising a carrier means for transporting a carpet roll from a first location to a second location, means for moving said carrier means between said first and second locations, said carrier means including a cradle means supporting said carpet roll, said cradle means being pivotal about an axis between an upright position and a dump position, releasable lock means for securing said cradle means in an upright position, the center of gravity of said cradle means and supported carpet roll being offset from said axis in the direction of movement of said cradle means in pivoting from its upright position into its discharge position and means for releasing said lock means as said carrier means is moved by said moving means into said second location from said first location whereby said cradle means will pivot into its dump position to release said carpet roll, the direction of movement of said carrier means from said first location into said second location being opposite to the direction of movement of said cradle means in pivoting from its upright position into its dump position, said moving means including brake means for stopping said carrier means at said second location, means for actuating said brake means when spaced from said second location and prior to actuation of said release means for said lock means, means for actuating said release means during actuation of said brake means but prior to stopping of said carrier means, wherein the inertial force of said cradle means and the carpet roll therein created during the actuation of said brake means maintains said cradle means in its upright position with said lock means released until said carrier means is stopped at said second location at which time said cradle means pivots into its dump position to release said carpet roll.

2. The conveyance of claim 1 and including positioning means for shifting said cradle means from its dump position into its upright position after releasing said carpet roll, said lock means securing said cradle means in its upright position as said positioning means shifts said cradle means into said upright position.

3. A carpet sorter comprising a carrier means for transporting a carpet roll from a first location to a selected one of a plurality of other locations, means for moving said carrier means between said first and other locations, said carrier means including a cradle means supporting said carpet roll, said cradle means being pivotal about an axis from an upright position into a dump position, releasable lock means securing said cradle means in its upright position, depository means at each of said other locations, means for releasing said lock means when said carrier means is moved by said moving means from its said first location into a selected one of the other locations to allow the cradle means to pivot from its upright position into its dump position thereby causing the carpet roll carried by the cradle means to fall into the depository means at said selected location, the direction of movement of said carrier means from said first location to said selected location being opposite to the direction of movement of said cradle means in pivoting from its upright position into its discharge position, said moving means including brake means for stopping said carrier means at said selected location, means for actuating said brake means when spaced from said selected location and prior to actuation of said release means for said lock means, means for actuating said release means during actuation of said brake means but prior to stopping of said carrier means, said brake means stopping said carrier means at said selected location so that the inertial force of said cradle means and the carpet roll therein which is created during the actuation of said brake means maintains said cradle means in its upright position with said lock means being released until said carrier means is stopped at said selected location at which time said cradle means pivots into its dump position.

4. The carpet sorter of claim 1 including positioning means for shifting said cradle means from its dump position into its upright position, said lock means securing said cradle means in its upright position as said positioning means shifts said cradle means into said upright position.

5. The carpet sorter of claim 4 wherein said means for releasing said lock means includes means for preventing the resecuring engagement of said lock means with said cradle means after said lock means is initially released until said positioning means shifts said cradle means back into its upright position.

6. The carpet sorter of claim 2 including overhead rail means, said depository means located under said rail means, said rail means supporting said cradle means for transverse movement between said first and other locations.

7. The carpet sorter of claim 6 including lift means for depositing said carpet roll in said cradle means when said cradle means is at said first location.

8. The carpet sorter of claim 7 wherein said positioning means for said cradle means is located at said first location and is actuated prior to the time said lift means deposits another carpet roll in said cradle means.

9. A method of sorting carpet rolls comprising the steps:

a. providing a cradle means for supporting said carpet roll, said cradle means being pivotal about an axis in a first direction from an upright position into a discharge position and being secured in said upright position by releasable lock means,

b. depositing a carpet roll on said cradle means at a first location with said cradle means in its upright position, the center of gravity of said cradle means and said supported carpet roll being offset from said axis in said first direction,

0. moving said cradle means toward a second location in a second direction opposite to said first direction,

d. causing said carrier means to be slowed as said second location is approached,

e. releasing said lock means as said cradle means is being slowed during its approach to said second location with the inertial force of said carpet roll causing said cradle means to remain in its upright position, and

f. stopping said cradle means at said second location to discharge said carpet roll as said carrier means pivots into its discharge position. 

1. A conveyance for carpet rolls comprising a carrier means for transporting a carpet roll from a first location to a second location, means for moving said carrier means between said first and second locations, said carrier means including a cradle means supporting said carpet roll, said cradle means being pivotal about an axis between an upright position and a dump position, releasable lock means for securing said cradle means in an upright position, the center of gravity of said cradle means and supported carpet roll being offset from said axis in the direction of movement of said cradle means in pivoting from its upright position into its discharge position, and means for releasing said lock means as said carrier means is moved by said moving means into said second location from said first location whereby said cradle means will pivot into its dump position to release said carpet roll, the direction of movement of said carrier means from said first location into said second location being opposite to the direction of movement of said cradle means in pivoting from its upright position into its dump position, said moving means including brake means for stopping said carrier means at said second location, means for actuating said brake means when spaced from said second location and prior to actuation of said release means for said lock means, means for actuating said release means during actuation of said brake means but prior to stopping of said carrier means, wherein the inertial force of said cradle means and the carpet roll therein created during the actuation of said brake means maintains said cradle means in its upright position with said lock means released until said carrier means is stopped at said second location at which time said cradle means pivots intO its dump position to release said carpet roll.
 2. The conveyance of claim 1 and including positioning means for shifting said cradle means from its dump position into its upright position after releasing said carpet roll, said lock means securing said cradle means in its upright position as said positioning means shifts said cradle means into said upright position.
 3. A carpet sorter comprising a carrier means for transporting a carpet roll from a first location to a selected one of a plurality of other locations, means for moving said carrier means between said first and other locations, said carrier means including a cradle means supporting said carpet roll, said cradle means being pivotal about an axis from an upright position into a dump position, releasable lock means securing said cradle means in its upright position, depository means at each of said other locations, means for releasing said lock means when said carrier means is moved by said moving means from its said first location into a selected one of the other locations to allow the cradle means to pivot from its upright position into its dump position thereby causing the carpet roll carried by the cradle means to fall into the depository means at said selected location, the direction of movement of said carrier means from said first location to said selected location being opposite to the direction of movement of said cradle means in pivoting from its upright position into its discharge position, said moving means including brake means for stopping said carrier means at said selected location, means for actuating said brake means when spaced from said selected location and prior to actuation of said release means for said lock means, means for actuating said release means during actuation of said brake means but prior to stopping of said carrier means, said brake means stopping said carrier means at said selected location so that the inertial force of said cradle means and the carpet roll therein which is created during the actuation of said brake means maintains said cradle means in its upright position with said lock means being released until said carrier means is stopped at said selected location at which time said cradle means pivots into its dump position.
 4. The carpet sorter of claim 1 including positioning means for shifting said cradle means from its dump position into its upright position, said lock means securing said cradle means in its upright position as said positioning means shifts said cradle means into said upright position.
 5. The carpet sorter of claim 4 wherein said means for releasing said lock means includes means for preventing the resecuring engagement of said lock means with said cradle means after said lock means is initially released until said positioning means shifts said cradle means back into its upright position.
 6. The carpet sorter of claim 2 including overhead rail means, said depository means located under said rail means, said rail means supporting said cradle means for transverse movement between said first and other locations.
 7. The carpet sorter of claim 6 including lift means for depositing said carpet roll in said cradle means when said cradle means is at said first location.
 8. The carpet sorter of claim 7 wherein said positioning means for said cradle means is located at said first location and is actuated prior to the time said lift means deposits another carpet roll in said cradle means.
 9. A method of sorting carpet rolls comprising the steps: a. providing a cradle means for supporting said carpet roll, said cradle means being pivotal about an axis in a first direction from an upright position into a discharge position and being secured in said upright position by releasable lock means, b. depositing a carpet roll on said cradle means at a first location with said cradle means in its upright position, the center of gravity of said cradle means and said supported carpet roll being offset from said axis in said first direCtion, c. moving said cradle means toward a second location in a second direction opposite to said first direction, d. causing said carrier means to be slowed as said second location is approached, e. releasing said lock means as said cradle means is being slowed during its approach to said second location with the inertial force of said carpet roll causing said cradle means to remain in its upright position, and f. stopping said cradle means at said second location to discharge said carpet roll as said carrier means pivots into its discharge position. 